EDMONTON -- Alberta Health Services has ordered a Whyte Avenue lounge to close citing numerous violations of health rules and COVID-19 safety precautions.
Mist Bar and Lounge and its owners were issued a verbal order on Nov. 14 and written orders were issued on Nov. 18 and Nov. 19, all mandating the lounge close until it passes a further inspections.
The orders cite numerous health issues, including:
- Perishable food being stored at unsafe temperatures
- Rotten and mouldy foods in a cooler
- Handwashing sinks lacked soap and paper towels
- The dishwasher wasn't equipped with sanitizer and didn't reach adequate temperatures
- The kitchen was not maintained in a "clean and sanitary condition" including food, grime, dirt and debris on kitchen surfaces
Inspectors also found multiple violations around provincially-mandated COVID-19 procedures, including:
- Tables and chairs arranged closer than two metres together
- No rapid response plan if a patron or staff showed symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19
- Limited signage to notify patrons of steps to limit spread of COVID-19
A signed order of an executive officer requires the facility to post better signage, develop a COVID-19 response plan, improve kitchen cleanliness and arrange chairs and tables to comply with COVID-19 regulations.
The lounge may reopen once it passes subsequent inspections.
On Thursday, the city of Edmonton recorded 426 new cases of COVID-19, its largest one-day increase to date. The city's active cases also hit an all-time high at 3,459.
